'Awarapan 2', the sequel to the 2007 cult hit, brings back Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit, who is now on a mission to combat human trafficking in Bangkok. While Hashmi's performance remains a strong point, the film struggles with underdeveloped characters, particularly those played by Shabana Azmi and Disha Patani, and a narrative that fails to recapture the emotional depth of the original.

'Awarapan 2', the sequel to the 2007 cult hit, brings back Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit, who is now on a mission to combat human trafficking in Bangkok. While Hashmi's performance remains a strong point, the film struggles with underdeveloped characters, particularly those played by Shabana Azmi and Disha Patani, and a narrative that fails to recapture the emotional depth of the original.

'Awarapan 2', the sequel to the 2007 cult hit, brings back Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit, who is now on a mission to combat human trafficking in Bangkok. While Hashmi's performance remains a strong point, the film struggles with underdeveloped characters, particularly those played by Shabana Azmi and Disha Patani, and a narrative that fails to recapture the emotional depth of the original.

“Jinke apne sapne poore nahi hote na, woh doosron ke sapne poore kartein hai….”

When Shivam Pandit (Emraan Hashmi) mouthed these lines around two decades ago towards the climax of Awarapan, everybody who had loved and lost in life felt the tug at their heartstrings. They who know that not every dream is fulfilled, that not every love story has a happy ending. They who seek solace in others’ happiness.

Love. Pain. Suffering. Mohit Suri has thrived in this genre over the years, with Kalyug, Woh Lamhe…, Aashiqui 2 and recently, Saiyaara. And Hashmi was his go-to man. The 2007 flick, Awarapan – a remake of the South Korean thriller, A Bittersweet Life – came when the actor was at his peak. The intensity and versatility he brought to the role elevated the film as a whole. Spirituality, too, was beautifully woven into the story. Despite all these factors, the film was a dud at the box office. But, it gained cult status over the years thanks to the tragic hero and the evergreen music by Pritam and Mustafa Zahid.

Now, almost 20 years later, Hashmi has reprised the role in Awarapan 2, but it’s not Suri behind the camera but Nitin Kakkar. The writers, too have changed – it’s producer Vishesh Bhatt, Bilal Siddiqui and Sanjay Masoomm now, while Shagufta Rafique wrote Awarapan. Together, these two changes, seem to have taken the wind out of the sequel’s sails.

Kakkar, who is best known for the National Award-winning Hindi film, Filmistaan, is in unchartered territory, one can make out. The story is nothing you haven’t heard before. Resurrected miraculously in Awarapan 2, Shivam arrives in Bangkok, holding on to his departed love’s words – “Ek mazloom ko azaad karna ka matlab hain saari insaniyat ko azaad karna (Freeing one wronged person is equal to freeing the whole mankind).” He is on a mission to rescue a little girl and others like her from human trafficking, from two villains Zorawar (Puran Gabbi, brother of actor Wamiqa Gabbi) and Nafisa (Shabana Azmi). His troubled mind and aching heart find refuge in Zara (Disha Patani), who is Zorawar’s sister and has her own ghosts from the past.

While Shivam takes off from where he left off in Awarapan, the other character arcs leave a lot to be desired. Take Zorawar, for instance. He is projected as a menacing and eccentric evil-doer, but is convincing only in patches; Gabbi’s inexperience shows when compared to veteran Ashutosh Rana in the 2007 film. One cannot help but wonder how Visakh Nair of Emergency fame would have handled the role, having pulled off similar negative characters in Malayalam flicks Officer on Duty and Chatha Pacha in style.

Interestingly, Suvinder Vicky as Zorawar’s henchman Jaideep is more convincing than the main villain himself.

The biggest disappointment, however, is how the makers wasted an actor of Azmi’s calibre. For all the build-up and costume, Azmi is relegated to the fringes, making guest appearances throughout the film. And even when she is there, the dialogues and sequences written for her leave little impact.

Patani as Zara, too, goes down the same path. Shriya Saran as Aaliyah and Mrinalini Sharma as Reema in Awarapan stayed in our minds and hearts long after the end credits. But it is unlikely to be the case with Patani’s Zara, who rides the emotional highs and lows with the same straight face. What’s worse is there is hardly any chemistry between her and Shivam. For a character with the emotional baggage that she has, Zara comes across as woefully underdeveloped.

The writing is patchy, hurried at places, and the choppy editing makes it worse.

Hashmi, however, is the saving grace. Twenty years is a long time in reel and real. But kudos to the actor for being physically and mentally in shape. Hashmi is in his elements as Shivam, brooding and punching and kicking his way through the violent and dark world of drugs, booze and human-trafficking. Fleeting glances of his past serve as nostalgic hooks for the fans, as he stamps his authority in this genre against much younger counterparts.

The music, too, plays an equally key role in keeping the film afloat. The reworked versions of the original hits like Toh Phir Aao and Tera Mera Rishta are an emotion in themselves. Though it felt overused at times, it can be forgiven for being a welcome distraction during the dull moments in the sequel. The new numbers Yeh Awarapan and Ve Junoon keep the legacy alive.

For those who loved Awarapan, this sequel would be like returning to their happy place. A delightful era when Hashmi ruled the screen and the songs from his films were on everybody’s lips. And the love, loss and longing in the heart.

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